Prettier in Person. I couldn’t be happier with the arrival of several book boxes on my front step. Rolling up my sleeves for a quick tally & inspection, then I’ll get my fingers all inky with the stamping. The evening will undoubtedly be spent signing your books.
Mr. Right will lug the first shipment to the post office tomorrow. You still have time to place an order. Details on how to do that are on the Signed Books page >>
Mikoto and the Reaver Village. If you need a place to react, confer, or kick up a fuss, this is the spot. I’ll enjoy your enthusiasm, I might be willing to clarify small points, but I reserve the right to evade questions that will be answered later in the series. ::twinkle::
[[[WARNING: HERE THERE BE SPOILERS]]]
Days Away. Counting today, we’re four days away from the release of Mikoto and the Reaver Village. The digital edition should deploy right on schedule, but print books will likely be delayed. I see you can now pre-order the print edition of Book 4 on Amazon. That’s good. They might even drop-ship from the printer, which usually means a quick turnaround. Signed copies will be a little slower to reach you, but I’m doing my best to make them worth the wait. Oh, look! Here’s a reason, now:
::twinkle::
Next Tuesday. Release Day (and my Fandom Anniversary) is just one week away. Here’s the usual rundown:
Tiny treat. A screencap of the first typeset page. ::twinkle::
Reminder. Any author (every author) benefits greatly when you take a few moments to rate and/or review their books, especially on sites like Amazon & Goodreads.
Print Editions. Mikoto and the Reaver Village is off to the presses (as of last week), but my printer’s website is plastered with warnings that they’re utterly swamped and to expect delays. So while my order is IN, my book boxes COULD arrive after release day. Nothing we can do about that. I”ll keep you updated. Thank you for your patience.
Digital Editions. Naturally, these delays don’t apply to ebooks. If you’ve pre-ordered your digital edition of Mikoto and the Reaver Village, one additional perk is Kindle’s penchant for distributing the book at midnight (EST). I’ve had my books arrive as early as 9pm on Release Day Eve. Good for those who want a head start on their reading. **Book 4 should now be showing up in other venues as well, so if your preferred book source is B&N, Kobo, Book Depository, etc., you should check for pre-order availability.
Audio Books. A few of you have asked, but I don’t think I’ve answered anywhere but in comments. The audio books for Governed by Whimsy: The Anthology and Mikoto and the Reaver Village have been delayed (due to the quarantine). Both titles are on the schedule for 2021. Maybe Travis Baldree will even be able to tackle Bk5 by then! ::twinkle::
Mikoto and the Reaver Village will be releasing on September 22, 2020. As per tradition, I’m opening up for pre-orders on the 1st of the month for those who want signed copies.
This summer is his last chance to win his first love.
Wardenclave has always been a place of secrets and sway. For most of the year, the remote mountain village is closed off from the rest of the world, but each spring, they issue invitations to the most promising young reavers all over the world. Summer skill camps provide opportunities for the elite to train with the best. And by longstanding tradition, for teens of the In-between to evaluate the compatibility of their peers. Glint Starmark’s reputation as a matchmaker has been holding true for millennia.
At seventeen, Mikoto Reaver is the youngest headman in Wardenclave’s history. He’s had very little time to adjust to his new role before their close-knit community opens its doors to children of pedigree, the specialists who will mentor them, an allotment of battlers, and a celebrity or two. Glint means well, but Mikoto won’t commit until he can speak to the only girl he’s ever loved. There’s just something about her.
• • •
Mikoto and the Reaver Village (Amaranthine Saga, #4) is now available for pre-order on Amazon. This is for the ebook. It will begin showing up in other venues closer to release day. Same goes for print editions (I hope). I don’t think Amazon ever did stock Governed by Whimsy: The Anthology in the US. Audio Books *are* coming, but production has been pushed off into 2021. You can also shelve this book on Goodreads >>
Waaseyaa & Zisa. As we head toward release day for Mikoto and the Reaver Village, I’ve been encouraging folks to read/reread Marked by Stars (Songs of the Amaranthine, #1) because it tells the story of the founding of Wardenclave, which is where Mikoto’s story is set. Although it’s been simply ages, Amaranthine lifespans = recurring characters.
At the very center of Wardenclave are a dog, a tree, and his twin. Remember them?
• • •
Glint sat on the ground, held out both hands, and found himself with his arms around a fabled imp. Would wonders never cease? “Do you have a name, boy? Or must I guess?”
“Brother named me.” With a flash of dimples and a flutter of lashes, he sweetly said, “I am Zisa.”
“It means orange,” Waaseyaa murmured.
“Welcome, Zisa. We’ve been waiting for you.”
“I know.” The child was suddenly nose-to-nose with Glint. “I know everything.”
—Marked by Stars
• • •
“Heart of Wardenclave” by Nicko
Mikoto and the Reaver Village (Amaranthine Saga, #4) is now available for pre-order on Amazon. Release Day is September 22. I’ll begin taking pre-orders for signed books on September 1. You can also shelve this book on Goodreads >>
Prize Drawing. Ye Olde Random Number Generator has spoken. The first five numbers that came up match the following names:
Anisa
Wendy
Lindy
JN
Leslie
Congratulations to our winners, and many thanks to everyone who participated. I’ll be posting your pictures at intervals as we race toward our next release day. ::glomp::
Winners, please do check in with me to verify your mailing addresses.
Playing with Possibilities. There are ups and downs with any update to a program/platform. While WordPress’s new system has thrown my usual routine for a loop, I know I’ll get the hang of it soon. And there are fun new features. Let’s test drive one of them now. Polls have been added. Here’s one that serves as a teaser for Book 4, which releases in September. ::twinkle::
Reminder! Marked by Stars & Mikoto and the Reaver Village share a setting, so while you’re waiting for release day, sneak in a re-read! ::twinkle::
Last Day. Today is the last day to send me your entry to the Photo Challenge. Here’s a lovely entry from Anne, who created a nest for Tamiko and the Two Janitors. Pretty, pretty prizes (there will be a drawing) were revealed on this post >>
YOU HAVE TWO MONTHS!
YOU HAVE TODAY!
June 20 – August 20
always.forthright@gmail.com
Mikoto and the Reaver Village (Amaranthine Saga, #4) is now available for pre-order on Amazon. At this point, it’s only the e-book. Print editions will begin showing up closer to release day. The same goes for other storefronts. Patience! The whole project is coming along nicely. And you now have a firm release date!
September 22, 2020
This summer is his last chance to win his first love.
Wardenclave has always been a place of secrets and sway. For most of the year, the remote mountain village is closed off from the rest of the world, but each spring, they issue invitations to the most promising young reavers all over the world. Summer skill camps provide opportunities for the elite to train with the best. And by longstanding tradition, for teens of the In-between to evaluate the compatibility of their peers. Glint Starmark’s reputation as a matchmaker has been holding true for millennia.
At seventeen, Mikoto Reaver is the youngest headman in Wardenclave’s history. He’s had very little time to adjust to his new role before their close-knit community opens its doors to children of pedigree, the specialists who will mentor them, an allotment of battlers, and a celebrity or two. Glint means well, but Mikoto won’t commit until he can speak to the only girl he’s ever loved. There’s just something about her.
• • •
You can also shelve this book on Goodreads >>
Button Splosion. Another quick nudge (because I really, really should get back to writing) toward the ongoing photo challenge. So many more entries came in this week, and I love your creativity. I’m always delighted when you pose my books with pets, and we’re about even … cats vs. dogs. Will you be entering? Hope so. There’s time! Pretty, pretty prizes (there will be a drawing) were revealed on this post >>
YOU HAVE TWO MONTHS!
MORE LIKE 1 WEEK
June 20 – August 20
always.forthright@gmail.com
P.S. I snapped this pic. ::twinkle::
Good Reminder. Quick nudge (because I really should be writing) toward the ongoing photo challenge. This is one of our newest entries, courtesy of Jeanine. Will you also enter? Pretty, pretty prizes (there will be a drawing) were revealed on this post >>
YOU HAVE TWO MONTHS!
MORE LIKE 2 WEEKS
June 20 – August 20
always.forthright@gmail.com
Stately House has changed quite a bit since the beginning of the Amaranthine Saga. That’s a trend I expect to continue. ::twinkle::
Stately House was refined and inspired, but it existed in such isolation. Like the emptiness clawing inside Argent, the building longed for a soul, for the liveliness and laughter of a loving family.
—Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox
• • •
“Orphans?”
“We’ve been converting rooms.” Michael seemed confused by his confusion. “You didn’t know?”
Jacques simply repeated, “Orphans?”
“Tsumiko has opened Stately House to children of mixed heritage ….”
Michael went into detail while Jacques tried not to be devastated. Argent would accept children simply because they were part-chicken or part-goat, yet shun someone who wanted a place just as much. Non… more.
—Lord Mettlebright’s Man
Bright as Pennies. Entries have started rolling in! Therefore, we’re due for a quick reminder that there’s a new Photo Challenge underway. This time, I’m prepared with a quick snapshot of the oft-mentioned “fabulous prizes.” This round, I have 5 of these pretty blank books with Starmark-esque copper accents. They’ll come inscribed to winners in the drawing.
Fun Fact: Merit Starmark (that’d be Harmonious’ eldest son) was nicknamed “Penny” by Boonmar-fen Elderbough, his childhood friend. Obviously, it’s a reference to the color of his eyes. I can’t say that always-serious Merit is entirely thrilled by the endearment. ::twinkle::
YOU HAVE TWO MONTHS!
MORE LIKE 3 WEEKS
June 20 – August 20
always.forthright@gmail.com
FORTHRIGHT 